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GRANT Rovelli doesn't speak Italian and he hasn't been to Italy, but he will represent that nation in a Test match against Fiji next month.

The talented Skills Training Mackay Cutters captain has a proud Italian background and says he is honoured to be pulling on the Italian Azzuri jersey.

"I qualified because of my grandfather; he came over here from Italy," Rovelli said.

Mick Rovelli, Grant's grandfather, was only three weeks old when his family settled in Walkerston.

"Well, we are Australians...but your heritage is something to be proud of and my family is from Northern Italy," he said.

The Rovelli family successfully ran a cane farm in Walkerston for many years.

Although the family has now sold the farm, the Rovellis have now lived in Walkerston area for more than 100 years.

Mick Rovelli said he, and his wife Val, would try to fly to Sydney to watch Grant play in October.

The Cutters posted the news of Rovelli's selection on Twitter yesterday morning.

"I actually played for Italy once before," Rovelli said

"It was back in 2003 when I was only 19, we played against Greece.

"My grandparents still have that jersey hanging up in their house.

"Obviously they were very proud of it and I am proud of it as well.

"I haven't been over there myself, but some of my (Italian) family made it over here for my wedding."

Italy's one-off Test match against Fiji will have a range of talented rugby league players in the side, all of who share a common Italian heritage. The team was formed after Italy qualified for the World Cup and the Test match will be part of their preparation.

"There are few other players out of the Queensland Cup playing," Rovelli said.

"I am the only one from Mackay that I know of.

"Joel Riethmuller has also signed up... so there will be some pretty handy players."